14:30
Chequered flag
The Ferraris are on better laps.
Qualifying top three in parc ferme (L to R): Charles Leclerc (MON) Ferrari…
How qualifying for the F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix unfolded
Sergio Perez claimed pole position as teammate Max Verstappen hit trouble in qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Here's how it unfolded...
18 Mar 2023
14:29
One minute to go
Current order: Verstappen, Perez, Alonso, Stroll, Hamilton, Norris, Piastri, Gasly, Russell and Sainz.
14:26
Leclerc goes tenth
A slow lap from Leclerc puts him 10th just ahead of Zhou.
14:25
Verstappen does it again
This time it's a 1m28.485s, 0.6s ahead of Perez.
14:20
Lando Norris' lap is impeded as he is accidentally blocked by Max Verstappen
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 18, 2023
The Dutchman speeds up to apologise to the McLaren driver shortly after #SaudiArabianGP#F1pic.twitter.com/LG2OpTGeKc
14:19
Verstappen improves again!
Nothing can stop the Dutchman.
It's a 1m28.660s now - 0.4s clear of Perez.
14:17
Big changes on the way for Merc
George Russell (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 W14. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd…
14:15
Verstappen returns to the top
It's a 1m28.756s for Verstappen, 0.371s ahead of Perez.
14:13
Perez improves
He sets a 1m29.127s to extend his advantage at the top.
14:11
New softs for Perez
Let's see what he can do. Could be scary for the rest.
14:10
Hamilton improves
He goes fourth in the Mercedes on the softs, 0.4s off.
14:09
Gasly improves again
Gasly improves to a 1m29.701s, just 0.2s off Verstappen.
14:06
Leclerc radio
"I've lost the first shift."
14:04
The usual mid-session lull now as teams return to the pit lane before fitting some new tyres.
13:58
Top 10 with 30 minutes to go
Perez, Verstappen, Gasly, Ocon, Russell, Albon, Hamilton, Leclerc, Sainz and Norris.
13:52
Perez goes clear
Perez is 0.3s quicker than Verstappen.
One key difference is that Perez is on the softs; Verstappen on the hards.
13:51
Current top 10
Verstappen, Gasly, Hamilton, Russell, Ocon, Leclerc, Albon, Piastri, Bottas and Sainz.
13:48
Gasly goes quickest
It's a 1m30.161s for the Frenchman, 0.3s ahead of Russell. Tidy lap from the Alpine.
13:45
Russell to the top
Russell takes P1 with a 1m30.476s, less than tenth ahead of Hamilton.
Verstappen goes fourth, 0.2s off on the hards.
13:43
One time on the board
Only Piastri has set a time so far - a 1m32.531s.
13:35
Bad news for de Vries
unfortunately, we’ve detected an issue on @nyckdevries’ car and we are now changing his PU.
— Scuderia AlphaTauri (@AlphaTauriF1) March 18, 2023
as a result, he won’t be participating in FP3 pic.twitter.com/dJ8Rr7kvIs
13:33
Two Astons take to the track
Alonso and Stroll break the silence - the only two cars out on track.
13:30
FP3 is underway!
Here we go for final practice!
13:23
FP3 is at 1:30pm UK time
Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP) Ferrari SF-23. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 2,…
13:17
What happened in FP2?
Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB19. Formula 1 World Championship,…
